Fence Building Codes and Regulations in the Houston Metro

Throughout the Houston area, homeowners are constantly looking for ways to make improvements to their homes and properties. Among the most common projects are fences. A beautiful, well-designed and expertly installed fence adds value to any residential property, and helps ensure privacy and security for the home. Perimeter enclosures are among the most popular home improvements due to their affordability, quick installation and dramatic impact on any home’s curb appeal. That’s why so many local contractors specialize in fence installation, and why so many handy homeowners prefer to do it themselves. In Houston, itself, and in all the many suburbs surrounding the city, rules and regulations regarding materials and installations vary widely from jurisdiction to jurisdiction.

At the planning stage, it’s important to discover what your city or other jurisdiction requires. Unfortunately, even in this age of instant internet access to information, it can be very difficult to find details about what materials, designs, heights and other options are allowed. Do you need a building permit? Are there fees for the permit? Where can you build a fence on your property? In most cities, the local building department can answer all your questions, but in the early stages of planning, it’s useful to have a quick source to help you get started in thinking about this new addition to your yard. That’s why this website exists. We’ve done all that research for you, and present it to you, city by city, in a format that’s easy to understand and access. We’ll be expanding this website on a regular basis to include more and more cities and communities in the greater Houston metro area. You’ll find all the information you need and every detail to help you with the planning process.

• Fence Codes and Rules Vary from City to City

  As you look around your own neighborhood, you’ll see all sorts of fence designs and materials. The fact is that each city has its own rules and regulations. In some cities, most decisions are left up to property owners, while in others, designs, materials and locations are strictly limited. Within individual communities, special districts and homeowners’ associations may even have their own rules. The individual pages on this site for each city will guide you and help you discover your community’s ordinances.

• Building Regulations in Houston Can Be Confusing

  As a large metropolitan city, you might expect the fencing ordinances in Houston to be complicated and strictly enforced. Oddly enough, though, property owners in Houston can build fences up to 8 ft. in height without even getting a building permit. That doesn’t mean, though, that you can just put in any kind of fence you want, anywhere on your property. In some districts and in almost all developments that have homeowners’ associations, detailed rules may limit your options.

• In Houston Suburbs, Fence Rules and Requirements Vary Widely

  Outside of Houston, from northern suburbs like Spring and Humble, northeastern cities like Kingwood, and eastern suburban communities like Highlands and Pasadena to Texas City and Galveston southeast of Houston, Pearland and Alvin to the south and a host of western suburbs such as Missouri City, Katy and Tomball, you’ll find a wide range of ordinances and codes governing fence projects. We make it easy for you to find the information you need on individual pages for each suburban city, and we’ll be adding additional cities soon.

• Installing the Right Fence

  The minute you begin to think about a fence installation, you face a bewildering number of decisions. It can be confusing, frankly. That’s why we’ve created pages on this website to help you understand your options and to make informed decisions, whether you hire a contractor for the job or make it a DIY project.

  • Residential Fence Materials and Styles – You can choose from many available materials and designs. Today, there are more options available to homeowners than ever before. Our guide will give you the information you need.
  • How Much Will a New Fence Cost? – There’s no single answer to this question, but our information will help you understand all the factors that determine the total price and compare costs during the planning process.
  • Build It Yourself or Hire a Contractor – Fence installation is a popular DIY project for many homeowners who have construction skills. It’s a bigger job than most people think, though. We will help you decide whether to take on the work or hire installers do it.
  • How to Choose the Right Installer – There are literally hundreds of companies in the greater Houston area who specialize in fence supplies and installation. Our guide to choosing a contractor will help you avoid costly mistakes.
  • Keep Your Neighbors in Mind as You Plan – Any addition you build will affect your neighbors, too. Before you get started, it’s wise to get your neighbors involved and to discuss your plans with them. It might even save money and will help you avoid disputes.
  • Get the Answers You Need to Your Questions about Fences – This page provides common-sense answers to the most frequently asked questions about these projects. We’ve anticipated your questions and offer answers based on professional experience.

Your One-Stop Information Source on Fences – Houston, TX Metro Area

We want homeowners in the Houston metro area to have accurate, useful information to help them make their very best decisions before committing to their project. You may see advertisements on this website from local building contractors who specialize in fence projects in your city or community. Those ads help us defray the cost of providing this essential information to you. We encourage you to carefully evaluate and compare contractors before making any decision. Ads on this website do not necessarily mean that we recommend that contractor. Our primary goal is to help you get the facts you need about fence codes, ordinances, regulations and rules in the Houston metro area.

Fence Rules, Permits, Regulations and Ordinances are Always Subject to Change

Individual pages on this website present summaries of codes and regulations for individual cities and communities. They are only a guide to this information. At any time, a city or jurisdiction may change their rules and permit requirements. Before beginning any project, you should contact your city’s building or planning department to make sure your plan meets current requirements. Local contractors, too, can help you ensure compliance with specific rules in special districts or homeowners’ associations. While we’ve made every effort to present accurate information, this website is only a guide to help you research the rules and codes for each city included on the website.